Pacesetters get contrasting wins in JP World caging

Saipan Ice’s Derrick Rangamar goes up for a left-handed layup against Top Development, Inc.’s Allen Reyes during the first quarter of their game in the JP caging last week at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Co-leaders Tan Holdings and Micronesian Brokers, Inc./Kentucky Fried Chicken took separate routes to victories in the 2nd JP World Corp. Customer Appreciation Basketball League this week at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Tan Holdings eased past Saipan Ice in last Wednesday’s game, 95-60, while MBI/KFC labored for a 76-73 win against the same team in the curtain-raiser last Friday. Tan Holdings and MBI/KFC remained unbeaten in four games, while Saipan Ice absorbed its fourth loss in five matches.

In the Tan Holdings-Saipan Ice tiff, the former opened a 30-7 lead in the first quarter to set up the lopsided win.

Gerald Rivera, Elmer Esdrelon, and Adrian Palacios combined for 21 of Fiesta’s total output in the opening frame to take early control of the match. Saipan Ice fell behind and never recovered as it was held to three field goals in the first quarter.

Against MBI/KFC, Saipan Ice was neck-and-neck with its foe, but the former prevailed in the end, thanks to a pair of free throws from Justine Zapanta and a split from Angelo Fernando.

Saipan Ice has dropped its last four games after winning its debut against Cape Air, 78-41. Cape Air has withdrawn from the league when matches resumed last month.

Mariana Resort 77, CUC 66
In the second game last Monday, Mariana Resort & Spa notched its second win after topping Commonwealth Utilities Corp.

Bryan Manglona led the victory, as he knocked in 14 of his 25 points in the final quarter. The fourth period started with Mariana Resort ahead by only a hair, 50-49, before it pulled away behind the successive baskets of Manglona, who drilled 8 of the team’s last 11 markers and also had 5 straight markers early in the pivotal frame.

Docomo 65, Mariana Resort 57
Docomo also bagged its second victory in four matches after outclassing Mariana Resort in the lone game played last Friday.

Docomo played better in the first half to build enough cushion and withstand Mariana Resort’s rally in the second. Docomo took a promising 40-21 halftime advantage after holding Mariana Resort to 8 points in the opening quarter and outscoring its foe anew in the second, 23-13.

Both teams slowed down in the third, but this time Mariana Resort won the exchange, 14-10, to stay in the game, 35-50. However, Mariana Resort failed to overhaul Docomo’s lead in the fourth despite recording its biggest output in a quarter (22).

Tony Diaz scored 9 of Docomo’s 15 points in the fourth quarter to foil Mariana Resort’s comeback bid.

Meanwhile, the other game last Friday had CUC winning over Top Development, Inc. via default.

TDI 79, Saipan Ice 77
TDI earlier barged into the win column after nipping Saipan Ice in an overtime game last Nov. 25.

TDI spread the wealth in the extra five minutes to outlast Saipan Ice, as five different players scored for the former in the extension. Raymond Velasco led Saipan Ice with his 6 points in overtime, while Jommel Pollisco knocked in the go-ahead basket, and Arwin Reyes, Henry Manipol, and Nestro Arreza added one field goal apiece. Derrick Rangamar scored all of Saipan Ice’s 12 points.